This message was sent last Saturday; however, it appears that it did not get
through to everyone. A second attempt should, hopefully, be more successful.
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Fellow Dragoons,
I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a wonderful
Leeuwarden Day. Last Saturday, the Regiment conducted a short ceremony in remembrance
of the action that liberated the city sixty-one years ago and raised the city
flag over the headquarters building in Petawawa. Today, our Regimental flag
flies proudly above City Hall in that northern Dutch centre.
The ceremony last weekend also marked the change in Colonel of the Regiment.
It is a tremendous honour and privilege to be chosen to serve as Colonel,
and I very much look forward to doing my very best to strengthen Family ties
within the Regiment from coast to coast to coast. One item that I can certainly
report is that the Regiment continues to serve our nation in true Dragoon
fashion. The recent tour in Afghanistan is but one example of continuing with
this fine tradition of professionalism. The Leeuwarden Day ceremony last
Saturday was yet another.
I would also like to take the opportunity to thank and congratulate MGen
Clive Addy for his tremendous work as our Colonel during the past few years.
His guiding hand has produced wonderful results with those serving in the
Regiment, those serving elsewhere in the CF and those in the Association across
the country.
His stewardship of the Guild is particularly noteworthy. The Regiment’s
program to provide a full 100-man guard at the upcoming 125th ceremonies in June
2008 is progressing ahead of schedule. The Leliefontein Bursary is now able
to provide awards to two deserving students beginning this November. The new
Dragoon Park in Petawawa is in fine shape with its mix of vehicle monuments
and family outdoor facilities. There are several other projects that are also
proceeding extremely well.
On behalf of all Dragoons everywhere, I wish MGen Clive and his wife Marlene
all the very best in whatever pursuit they choose to follow in future.
To everyone, have a fine day – a fine Leeuwarden Day!
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Colonel (retired) Michael Appleton, CD
Colonel of The Regiment
The Royal Canadian Dragoons